She inherited about $25 million from her father's estate and a further $5 million from her mother's estate. She also inherited The Breakers. In 1948, as a widow, she leased The Breakers to the Preservation Society of Newport County for $1 a year. She continued to maintain an apartment in The Breakers by agreement until her death.

In 1972, the Preservation Society purchased The Breakers for $365,000 from Gladys' heirs, but Gladys' daughter maintained the apartment on the third floor.[2]